Artist spotlight - Sounding off: for the latest and hottest in Black music! - Aretha Franklin - Brief Article

Ebony, Oct, 2003

ARETHA FRANKLIN affirms her status as the Queen of Soul with her new recording, SO DAMN HAPPY (Arista), and she makes it clear in spirit and song that she is feeling good. She kicks off the ebullient set with the percolating "The Only Thing Missin'," followed by the blissful and bouncy "Wonderful," and the infectious "Holdin' On," which features Mary J.

Blige (who also sings on "No Matter What"). Aretha herself produced and wrote the title song and "You Are My Joy," and throughout the set she is vibrant and vivacious. With lyrics about real life and love expressed by a real woman with a real voice, Aretha Franklin rocks.